Time switch



Oct. 12, 1948. F. A. WARD 2,451,135

TIME SWITCH Filed April e, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5/ m= 1 LUIMZB w FIG, 2 ,7

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E57. wmpg wa Oct. 12, 1948. F. A. WARD 2,451,135

TIME SWITCH Filed April 6, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fJG. 5. W 3

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Patented Oct. 12, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIME SWITCH Erank A. Ward, Baltimore, Md.

Application April 6, 1945, Serial No. 586,845

2 Claims. 1

Thisvinvention pertains to; electrical switches and-more particularly toautomatic clockwork switches.

- In the conventional types of automatic switches it is customary to set theswitches to open or close at a definite clock time of relatively long spacing periods apart. They are not made or intended'tobe used for a setting oneminute away.-or some similar short period. They are not sensitive enough for such operation and their general use is for periods ofmuch longer duration.

The object of this invention is tc-provide a new and-improved type of automatic clockwork switch that will operate on relatively short-period settings, and avoid one or moreof the disadvantages and limitations of the prior. art.

Another object of this invention is to provide anew and improved clockwork switch that may be used either automatically or as an ordinary switch.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention: is -more fully set forth.

In particular form of this invention, as indicated in the drawings;

Figure 1 is a top viewof anautomatic time switch embodying this invention,

a Figure. 2 is. a front. viewof Figure 1,

Figure 3 is right end view of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a back view of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a sectional view .taken along lines Ei 5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is ansectional view taken along lines 6-6 of- Figure. 3, revolved clockwise 1.80 and Figurev '7 is a view showing pawl and control elementv looking in direction of arrows i'l of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the drawings, 10 represents. a switch wall face plate having a slot H in which a button l2 moves in a reciprocating mannerin accordance with the opening and closing of the switch. A small slide 13 isprovided under the button 12 to keep the latter from slipping through the slot I i and an underslide I4 is mounted on the opposite side of the face plate and attached to the button to react in the opposite manner and thereby keep the button in position on the face plate. An extension piece 16 is mounted on the underslide M to be IIIQVcd in coordination with the reciprocating movement of the button. Pins I5 and 11 are secured to thispiece 5 for operating the mechanism to be described, one being above on one side while the other is below on the opposite side of the piece. The setting mechanism is also mounted on the front of the face plate It), and consists of a knurled nut which a pointer 5| is attached. Indices 52 are engraved in the front of plate ii) on an are for the pointer 51 to point to as it is rotated to different settings. A shaft 53 attached to the nut passes through the plate, is journalled in bearing members 22 and has a pawl 23 mounted near its end for engagement in a clockwork control element 24. The pawl has several teeth 25 for holding the control element in various periods of setting. The pin i'i attached to the rear of extension piece l6 contacts shoulder 19 of lever 21 and withdraws the face 36 thereof and allows the pin 21' attached to the rear of operating plate 28 to travel a predetermined distance, this allows the face ll of lever 20 to contact the pin 21 and hold same in place. In this position the switch contact is closed. When thepointer 51 points to 0, and the button I2 is pushed to the on position, the pin l'l contacts the shoulder 58 of lever 20 and withdraws the face ll which allows the pin 2'! and operating plate 28 to move and open the switch. The levers 29 and 2-! are attached by pins G1 and 43 to back plate 30 and tensioned by springs 62 and 63 respectively. When the pawl 23 is set for a time delay in opening the switch contacts, the pin ll contacts shoulder I9 as outlined above, the button 52 is then pushed to the left and the pin l! contacts the shoulder 18. During this cycle a hook 18 on catch 40 drops down and holds underslide M in its normal off position until the switch contacts open. The catch 4!! is attached to the faceplate It by a, pivot 42 and tensioned by a spring 43 to keep the hook I8 ready to engage the underslide 14 when the pointer is not set to 0, open and closed switch contacts. The hook "I8 ,is disengaged from contact with the underslide. I4 when pin 39 attached to operating plate 28 contacts the end 41 of catch 45. The operating plate 28 rotates arcuately on a shaft 29 which extends out from the back plate 3 3 of the frame that holds the various mechanisms and face plate of the device. Mounted loosely and arcuately on the sameoperating plate 28 are a of bowed arms 32 and which are pivotally attached to the plate 28 by pins 54 and 55 are resiliently tensioned by a spring 3| to pull towards other. This is done so the movement of the arm 32 in one direction will pull on the spring 3! and arm, 33 and pull the operating plate 28 towards the arm 32. The plate 28 however will not move under these pulls until it is released. The other ends of the bowed arms 32 and 33 are bent to form projection 66 and El which are contacted by pin l5 attached to extension piece R6. The control element consists of a cam 3 which is mounted loosely on the shaft 29, and is attached to one end of the control element 24 by a. pin 59 and is rotated back and forth in an arcuate path, depending upon the position of the pawl 34 is set in a predetermined position through the adjustment of the knurled knob 50 and pawl 23. When the pawl Ell which is pivotally attached to the operating plate 28 by a pin 69 and tensioned by a spring 13 contacts the cam 34 through its pin ll it lifts the contact point 12 of the pawl H3 out of contact with the teeth 35 of a ratchet gear 36 and allows the operating plate 28 to return to its normal position as shown in Figure 1. While the pawl 10 is engaged with the ratchet gear 3% it connects the operating plate 28 rigidly with it, and the gearing 38 and clock mechanisms. The control element 23 operates the cam 34 and this in turn controls the position of the pawl l and its engagement in the gear 36. The operative plate 28 has a groove 44 provided in its periphery at a predetermined point, which serves to engage another pin 45 when it is rotated around to it. This pin connects with a bell crank 46 mounted on the back of the face plate [0 by a pin 8| and has an insulated block 49 for engaging the contact means 19 of the switch, and forcing them together when the pin 45 is out of the groove 44 and releasing them when the pin 4-5 is in the said groove 14. The movement of the operating plate 28 is controlled by a pin 82 contacting stops 83 and 84. The clockwork or horological mechanism 37 of the device used as a motor to operate the switch structure of the invention is of conventional design and fastened to the back plate 38 0f the switch. It is preferably of the alarm clock type including a train of gears 60 operated by a spring that has been wound up in an amount equal to the setting of the time delay pointer 58 to give the necessary operative tension. A secondary train of gears 38 is actuated by the first train of gears 66. In the form shown, the switch is a single pole type, but may be varied to suit. In the operation of the device, assuming it to be connected up to a lighting circuit, such as a porch light, and the operator desires to use the switch as an ordinary switch. He sets the indicator to instantaneous, and throws his switch to the on position, the light will light,

and when he throws the switch to the off position the light will immediately go out. If the operator desires to use the switch with time delay circuit opening, he turns the pointer until it is set for one, two or three minute operation. The button I2 is then moved to the on position and the light will go on. When the operator desires to leave the house, he merely pulls the button I2 in the other direction until the switch is in the oif position and the light will remain on until the time set elapses and the switch will open and put out the lights. During the manipulation of the button [2 to the on and 01f position while the delay circuit opening is set the mechanism functions as follows: When the button I2 is pushed to the on position the pin I contacts the projection 61 forming part of arm 33 and through the tension of spring 3i pulls the operating plate 25 to the right, this causes the bell crank 48 to move and close the switch contacts. The pointer 55 is then set to the selected time delay and the button is pulled back to the off position, but the light remains lighted until the contacts open. During the time interval while the button i2 is being moved back, the catch 4&3 holds the underslide id and button [2, the pin i5 forces the arm 32 outwardly and through the tension of spring 35 causes the operating plate to move the ratchet 36 and gearing 3B and clock mechanism, the setting of the pointer, controls the setting of the cam 3 and will cause the operating plate to return to its starting position, the pin 39 will strike the catch 40 and release the underslide Hi, the pin d5 will be in the groove 44 and the contact l9 will be open. The particular use of the switch is in connection with any installation where it is desired to turn a switch off and have its opening period delayed. Such a use may be in connection with residences where it may be desired to leave the light on the porch for a short period of time after the person leaves the house, and then have it go out automatically, in order that the resident may not be compelled to return to turn the switch off. For example, the owner may want to leave the house and enter an automobile and while doing so have the light remain on, but by the time he has driven off, and the light is not needed, the switch may operate to turn the light oif for him Then the switch will be left in condition for normal operation, and ready at any time to be used for the same operation as desired.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims:

Having thus described the invention; what is claimed is:

1. A combined electrical and time delay switch comprising in combination, a face plate having an elongated slot therein, a back plate positioned at right angles to said face plate and having a slot therein, switch contacts mounted on one side of said back plate, a bell crank mounted on one side and projecting through the slot in said back plate to open said switch contacts at predetermined intervals, an operating plate comprising stops and a groove therein, a pin positioned on said back plate to limit the movement of the operating plate in opening and closing said contacts, a plurality of bowed arms pivotally attached to said operating plate and rotated thereby, spring means for tensioning said bowed arms, a cam positioned on said back plate, an element connected to said cam a pawl positioned on a shaft having a knob and pointer for positioning said element and cam, and a button reciprocating in said face plate and having pins projecting therefrom, said pins periodically contacting said bowed arms for winding the time delay opening means for opening or closing the switch contacts at predetermined intervals.

2. A combined instantaneous and time delay electrical switch comprising in combination, a face plate having a slot therein, a button recriprocating in said slot, a slide positioned under the button and moving therewith, an underslide having an extension piece at right angles mounted on the opposite side of the wall plate and connected with said slide and button, said extension having pins projecting therefrom, a knob having a pointer positioned on said face plate, a shaft attached to said knob and having a pawl attached thereto for timing the mechanism, a plurality of lever having shoulders thereon, one of the pins attached to said underslide extension piece for actuating said levers, an operating plate having a pin attached thereto for contacting said levers, spring means for said levers, a combined hook and catch plate pivotally attached to said face plate, means for tensioning said hook and catch on said face plate, a pin attached to said operating plate for contacting the end of catch plate and releasing said hook, a back plate projecting from said face plate, a shaft projecting through said back plate for supporting the operating plate on one side and a cam on the other, a plurality of bowed arms pivotally mounted on said operating plate, tensioning means for said bowed arms, the lower ends of said bowed arms bent to form a bearing plate for contacting one of the pins attached to said underslide extension piece, said cam mounted on a shaft and rotated in an accurate manner depending on the position of said pawl against the end of the element and setting of said pointer, a ratchet gear, a pawl pivotally attached to said operating plate for contacting said ratchet gear and rigidly connecting the operating plate and gear together at predetermined intervals, means for raising said pawl from the ratchet gear teeth, and means for controlling the travel of said operating plate.

FRANK A. WARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,473,679 Liebel Nov. 13, 1923 1,584,738 Danial May 18, 1926 1,943,839 Rhodes Jan. 16, 1934 

